Leawood, Kansas, United States - The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Daily Guide grow. pray. study. for Friday, 5 September 2014 "Don't say evil things about each other"Daily Scripture: James 4:11-12 Don’t bad-mouth each other, friends. It’s God’s Word, his Message, his Royal Rule, that takes a beating in that kind of talk. You’re supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it. God is in charge of deciding human destiny. Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others?
Reflection Questions:
Earlier this week, we read Jesus' words about the peril of setting ourselves up as judge of other peoples' hearts and motives (cf. Matthew 7:1-5). The apostle Paul wrote forcefully that we need to trust God to set right what is wrong, rather than trying to do it ourselves (cf. Romans 12:18-21). And James put it bluntly and succinctly: "There is only one lawgiver and judge….you who judge your neighbor, who are you?"
In Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White, Pastor Hamilton wrote, "[James' counsel about our words] does not mean we are not to practice discernment. Nor does it mean that we should remain silent in the face of wrongdoing. Yet we can make known our disagreements with others while doing so in love and with respect for the other." When have you seen disagreement handled in love and with respect? When have you been able to do that yourself?
As you discuss political candidates, are you ever tempted to use words like "crook," "weakling," "drunk," "womanizer" or "fool" about a candidate when all you really know for sure is that you disagree with one or more of that person's positions? If you find such words (or dozens of others in the same vein) on the tip of your tongue this fall, remember James' pointed question: "You who judge your neighbor, who are you?"
Today's Prayer:
Dear Jesus, rulers in your day were more corrupt and less accountable than any we have today. But you preached the Kingdom, the rule, of God. Keep me, too, focused on what ultimately matters. Keep me from being bogged down in human bickering. Amen.
Insight from Chris Folmsbee
Chris Folmsbee is Resurrection’s Director of Discipleship Ministries. He is the author of several books, with an extensive background in applying principles of spiritual growth to real life. He, his wife Gina and their family have been attending Resurrection since 2008.
Here is the simple truth from our reading today: The Kingdom of God has one King, and it isn’t any one of us. Not one of us, although we sometimes live as though we are kings or queens, is above the Law. This desire to be king or queen of our own lives manifests itself in many ways—always wanting to be right, speaking badly to others, speaking bad about others, etc. James wants this evil practice to stop. He carefully crafts instruction to his audience that reveals the importance of the law and the law giver.
Scholars vary in how they interpret the use of the word “law” in today’s reading. Three main views on the use of this word are:
1) James is referring to the gospel of salvation, as understood by the early church.
2) James is referring to common royal law (the basic understanding of how you live under the reign of any king in any nation at any time)
3) James is referring to the Jewish Torah.
1) James is referring to the gospel of salvation, as understood by the early church.
2) James is referring to common royal law (the basic understanding of how you live under the reign of any king in any nation at any time)
3) James is referring to the Jewish Torah.
All three were common uses of this word during James’ time—maybe he meant all three. I believe James is likely referring to the Jewish Torah, as summarized in Jesus’ life and teachings. The point is this: no matter which meaning of the word James intended to use, the Christian isn’t above any of them. To be a deeply committed Christian is, in part, to submit to the Law.
God is the one who gives the law. This law is born out of God’s love for God’s people. People under God’s reign are doers of the law, not developers of the law. Therefore, we choose to submit to the law, recognizing that God is King and we are not, in order to show our love for God, self and others. When we choose to live any other way, such as speaking evil toward and about another person or group of people as outlined in our reading today, we are not living under the reign of the One who gives the law. Instead, we are living under the desires of our own self.
These lyrics from Ben Kyle’s song “Mercy” express the spirit to which God calls us:
Let there be mercy for my brother and sister, my mother, my family.
Let there be mercy for my friends and lovers, my foes and enemies.
Let there be mercy for my words and wars, deeds and deeds I didn’t do.
Let there be mercy for every soul in this city. May the Lord have pity over you.
Let there be mercy for my brother and sister, my mother, my family.
Let there be mercy for my friends and lovers, my foes and enemies.
Let there be mercy for my words and wars, deeds and deeds I didn’t do.
Let there be mercy for every soul in this city. May the Lord have pity over you.
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